Circuit-closing device.



Painted Nov. 20, |900.

E. W. HAZAZEB. CIRCUITCLOS-ING DEVICE.

(Application ied oct. 7, 18x99.)`

(No Model.)

.W m. @WMM W/TNESSES A TTOH/VE Y Unita@ marins y 'ATENT EDGAR WV. HAZAZER, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

CIRCUIT-CLOSING DEVICE.

SEECFICATION forming part ot Letters Patent No. 662,234, dated November 20, 1900.

Application filed October 7, 1899.

To all 1071/0727, it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR W. HAZAZER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit Closing Devices, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in circuit-closing devices, and more particularly to that class of circuit-closers known to the trade as midget push-buttons. Circuit-closers of this class as ordinarily constructed consist of a metal case or cup carrying on its bottom a iiberwasher, to which the binding-posts for the circuit-wires are suitably connected, as by screws, and upon which lie the circuit-closing terminals. The circuit is closed by means of a button, which is located in the cup, this button serving to operate a plug or bridge-piece, which is forced against the terminals and closes the circuit by bridging the space between them. The circuit-closer is held in position in a perforation located in the wall, or Wherever it is desirable to place the button, by means of independent springs located on the sides of the cup. In such circuit-@losers as heretofore constructed the operating push-button is smaller than the cup, so that a rim of metal appears around the button when the device is in position. This is objectionable, because the metal corrodes or becomes discolored iii' not painted, and if painted it is impossible to give it a finish corresponding with the iinish of the material in which the button is located. Such buttons are not, therefore, adapted for iine classes of work where finish and appearance are essential requisites. Furthermore, the circuit-closing terminals being secured to the bottom of the washer in the cup are exposed, and plaster, dust, or dirt is liable to get on them, thus preventing the plug or bridgepiece from making a good contact, and sointerfering with the closing of the circuit. Furthermore, as has been said, it is usual to so construct circuit-closers of this class that the plug or bridge-piece closes the circuit by coming in contact with each terminal and bridging the space between them. In operatin g such circuit-closers it is necessary, there- Serial No. '732,838'. (No model.)

fore, to make two contacts, thus doubling the liability of interference with the proper closing of the circuit as compared with a circuitcloser which closes the circuit by making a single contact. Furthermore, as the terminals usually consist of flat metal pieces, the space between them, as has been said, being bridged by the button-operated plug, they are apt by Lise to become bent, so that they do not lie in the same plane. This renders the action of the operating-plug uncertain, as it will, when forced down, at times touch one of the terminals and not the other.

The binding-posts to which the terminals of the circuit-Wires are attached in buttons as usually constructed are so arranged and attached to the base of the button that it is necessary to loop the ends of the-wire about them in order to make a good contact. Inasmuch as the buttons are usually located in positions where the ends of the terminal wires are necessarily very short and where there is little room for manipulation, it is difficult for the workmen in putting up the buttons to make good connections, and this diilculty is greatly increased if the ends of the wires become broken, as frequently occurs if they have to be'wound and unwound from the terminals in repairing the buttons.

It is one of the objects of this invention to construct a circuit-closer in which only the circuit-closing button shall be visible, thereby makinga closer which is neat and attractive in appearance.

A further object of the invention is t0 do away with the independent springs which are generally employed to hold circuit-closers of the class to which the invention relates in position by constructing the cup or socket which carries the parts in such a way that it shall be automatically held in position in thesocket.

A further object of the invention is to construct a compact, cheap, and effective circuitcloser of the class described in which all the parts shall be incased, so as to avoid the trouble which results from the lodging of dust or powdered plaster on the contacts.

A further object of the invention is to produce a circuit-closer in which the connections with the circuit-Wires can be made without the necessity of bending the wires, thereby avoiding the danger of breaking the same,

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and also constructing a closer which it is much easier to put in position.

A further object of the invention is to construct a button of the class described in which the circuit is closed at a single point by bringing two terminals together, thereby insuring a milch more reliable action than is possible in that class of buttons in which the circuit is closed at two or more points.

Vith these and other objects in View the invention consists in certain constructions and in certain parts, improvements, and combinations, as will be hereinafter described, and fully pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis an elevation of the improved circuit-closer, the material in which it is located being shown in section. Fig. 2 is an under side plan view of the circuit-closer shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of the circuitcloser shown in Fig. l, and Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, l indicates a cup or socket by which the other parts of the circuit-closer are carried. This cup or socket is constructed of some spring material, preferably of thin sheet metal, and is provided with slits 2. These slits divide the upper or outer part of the cup or socket into a series of integral spring-tongues 3, the object of which is to hold the cup or socket in place in a perforation formed in the material in which the circuit-closer is located. The circuitcloser is formed so as to be slight-ly larger at its outer end than at its inner end. Therefore when the cup is inserted in the perforation which is formed to receive the same it will be securely held in position by the friction of the spring-tongues. It will be observed that by thus constructing the metal cup the use of independent springs is avoided and at the same time a reliable attachment for the circuit-closer is secured. The bottom of the cup 1 is closed bya plug 4, which preferably consists of ebony, hard rubber, or other suitable non-absorbent insulating material. The plug is provided with a central perforation 5, through which works a stem 6, which is formed of metal or othersuitable conducting material. The bottom of this stem 6 may serve as a contact-piece; but the stem preferably carries a small contact 7, of platinum or other similar material, said contact being secured to the stem in any suitable manner.

While various devices may be used to form acontact-terminal with which the circuit-closing stem before described coperates, there is preferably secured to the bottom of the plug a clip 8, which is formed of a piece of sheet metal, said metal being preferably slightly springy and being bent to form two wire-receiving jaws, substantially as shown in the drawings. This clip 8 may be secured to the bottom of the plug in various ways, but will preferably be attached thereto by means of a screw .9,which passes through both jaws of the clip and engages a hole in the bottom of the plug. While the upper jaw of the clip may contact directly with the end of the circuit-closing stem, it preferably carries a small platinum point 10, which cooperates with the platinum point on the end of the stem.

The circuit-wire is secured to the clip by scraping off the insulation for a short distance and inserting the bared end between the jaws of the clip. The screw 10 is then forced down, driving the jaws of the clip together, thus securing the wire in position and at the same time insuring an excellent connection between the wire and the clip. It will be observed that this connection can be made without any twisting or winding of the wire, such as is necessary with the ordinary terminal. Furthermore, the end of the clip entirely closes the perforation 5 in the plug, so that the circuit-closing terminals or con- 'tact-pieces are entirely inclosed. Dust or dirt cannot, therefore, get into the button and interfere with the closing ofthe circuit by lodging on the contacts.

The stem 6 is operated to close the circuit by means of a button 11, said button working in the cup 1 in the ordinary nianner. This button 11 is, however, so constructed as to conceal the edge of the cup, this being preferably effected by forming the button with a shoulder 12,which extends over and entirely conceals the outer edge of the cup. A bu tton is thus formed which is neat and attractive in appearance and is particularly adapted to the inest classes of work, since the metal parts, which are unsightly in appearance and which are liable t0 become corroded, are entirely concealed. The button` is held in its outward position by means of a spring 13, one end of the spring being brought into electrical connection with the stem G, which carries the button, by means of a metallic washer 14 or in any other suitable manner. The outward movement of the button may be limited in any suitable manner,as by a washer 15 secured to the stem 6 and operating against a shoulder in the perforation 5.

The plug 6 is provided with a perforation 16, said perforation being counterbored, as at 17, the counterbore being preferably of such a size as to just admit the end of an insulated wire. One end of the spring is bent, as at 1S, and extends into the perforation 16. The connection is made between the circuitwire and the spring 18 by scraping off the insulation from the circuit-wire for a short distance. The bared end of the wire (indicated at 19) is inserted into the perforation 16,' the insulated part of the wire lying in the small counterbore 17 and serving to close the opening 16. i

Any suitable means may be used to insure a good electrical contact between the spring 18 and the circuit-wire 19. Preferably, however, there will be provid ed a screw 20, which lies in a lateral perforation in the plug 4.

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This screw preferably has a somewhat rounded point andlserves to jaln the two wires together, as shown in the said gures.

Changes maybe made in the details of the construction which has just been described. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not to be restricted to the precise details shown and described, but embraces such changes and modifications as fall within its spirit and scope.

l. In a circuit-closer, the combination with a supportingplug having a perforation therethrough, of a circuit-closing stem working in the perforation and a contact located at one end of the perforation and closing the same, substantially as described.

2. In a circuit-closer7 the combination with an inclosing cup of a su pporting-plug having a perforation therethrough, a circuit-closing stein working in the perforation, a button for operating the stem, and a contact cooperating with the stem, said contact being arranged at one end of the perforation and closing the same, substantially as described.

3. In a circuit-closer, the combination with a supporting-plug having a perforation therethrough, of a circuit-closing stem of substantially the same diameter as the perforation working therein and a piece of metal forming the second contact, said piece of metal being secured to the bottom of the plug and closing the perforation, substantially as described.

4. In a circuit-closer, the combination with a supporting-plug having a perforation therethrough, of a circuit-closing stem working in the perforation, a button for operating the stem, a metal clip bent to form wire-receiving jaws secured to the plug` so that one of the jaws closes the perforation, said clip being constructed to receive a wire between its jaws, substantially as described.

5. In a push-button, the combination with a supporting-plug, of a circuit-closing stem working therethrough, a button for operating the stem, a metal clip bent to form jaws which receive the ends of the circuit-wire between them, said clip forming the contact with which the circuit-closing stern cooperates to close the circuit, and means for securing the clip to the plug, whereby a connec be made with the circuit-closerwithout bending the wire, substantially as described.

'7. In a circuit-closer, the combination with a supporting-plug having two perforations therein, of a circuit-closing stem working in one of the perforations, a contact cooperating therewith and closing the end of said perforation, a spring surrounding the stem and having one of its ends in electrical contact with the stem, the other end of the said spring being located in the second perforation, substantially as described.

8. In a circuit-closer, the combination with a supporting-plug carrying movable circuitclosing devices and having a longitudinal perforation therethrough,said perforation being of a size to receive two conductors, of a conductor lying in said perforation, and means for insu ring electrical contact between said conductor and a second conductor which may be inserted in the perforation, substantially as described.

9. In a circuit-closer, the combination with a supporting-plug carrying movable circuitclosing devices and having a longitudinal perforation therethrough,said perforation being of a size to receive two conductors, of a conductor lying in said perforation, and a screw for insuring electrical contact between said conductor and a second conductor which may be inserted in the perforation, substantially as described.

l0. In a push-button the combination with a contact-piece supported on the plug, of a circuit-closing stein working through the plug a spring for moving the stem in one direction, said spring having one of its ends in electrical connection with the stem and its other end arranged to be connected to the circuit-wire, substantially as described.

l1. In a circuit-closer,the combination with a supporting-plug having two perforations therethrough, of a circuit-closing stem working in one of the perforations, a contact-piece cooperating therewith and secured to the plug so as to close the perforation, a button for operating the stem, a spring surrounding the stem and in electrical contact therewith, one end of the spring lying in the second perforation, and means for securingelectrical contact between said spring and a second conductor to be inserted in said perforation, substantially as described.

l2. In a circuit-closer,the combination with a supporting-plug carrying movable circuitclosing devices and having a perforation therethrough, one end of said perforation being counterbored, of a conductor lying in saidv perforation, the counterbore operating to receive the insulated portion of a second conductor which is to be inserted in said perforation, and means for securing electrical contact between the two conductors, substantially as described.

13. In a circuit-closer,the combination with a cup or socket formed of spring material,

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said cup or socket being slit at one end so as to form spring-tongues, whereby the cup or socket is held in position, circuit-closing devices supported by the cup, and a push-but ton located in the cup and serving to operate the circuit-closing devices, substantially as described.

14. In a circuit-closer,the combination with a cup or socket, of circuit-closingdevices carried thereby, a circuit-closing button for operating said devices, said button being arranged to extend over the edge of the socket iu close proximity thereto, the proportions and relative arrangements being such that the button substantially conceals thecglnge of the socket, substantially as described. l

15. In a circuit-closer, the combination with a cup or socket, of circuit-closing devices su pported thereby, and a push-button working in said socket, said push-button having a shoulder` which extends over the edge of the socket in close proximity thereto, the proportions and relative arrangements being such that the shoulder substantially conceals the edge of the socket, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDGAR W. HAZAZER.

Witnesses: y

T. F. KEHOE, G. M. BoRsT. 

